Comfort in a Bowl: Yongsan International Center’s Nostalgic Budae Jjigae

📍Address - 20-3 Yongsan 2(i)-ga, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea 🏖Ambiance/Facilities - Very Local 💡Highlights - Free Ramen & Rice 💵Avg. Price per Person - 20 USD ⭐️Rating - 3/4 Before diving into the review, here’s a quick note on the history of budae jjigae (also known as "Army Stew"): This dish emerged after the Korean War, when food scarcity was a harsh reality🇰🇷⚔️🇰🇵. Koreans resourcefully mixed surplus U.S. army rations—spam, hot dogs, baked beans—with local ingredients like kimchi and gochujang (chili paste). What resulted was a warm, hearty stew that’s become a symbol of resilience and comfort. Yongsan International Center’s budae jjigae delivers a truly nostalgic experience. The grilled steak here instantly took me back to a time when steak was a luxury in Korea—just any cut of beef, bacon, and ham sizzling together, with a little splash of A1 sauce to give it that touch of Americana and fancy flair. The main attraction, though, is the budae jjigae itself. It’s perfectly balanced with just the right mix of ham, sausage, spam, and cheese, all bubbling in a spicy, savory broth that tastes like it’s been simmering for hours🌭🥓🍖🫘🧀🌶🥘. On a cold night, this is exactly the kind of hearty bowl you crave❄️😋. Even better? The rice and ramen are free, so you can eat your fill without worrying about your wallet🍚🍜🤑. Of course, it’s not something you’d want to eat every day—it’s rich and indulgent. But when you need a warm, comforting meal that’ll bring back memories of old-school Korean soul food with an American twist, this is the place to be🇺🇸🇰🇷. #koreatrip #koreanfood #yongsan #localfood #seoulfoodie